MTN Nigeria Expands The Gathering 100 Initiative to Kano
MTN Nigeria is broadening its commitment to The Gathering 100, a nationwide initiative aimed at engaging youth, by launching events in Kano. This initiative brings together young innovators, creatives, entrepreneurs, and technology enthusiasts to inspire collaboration, drive innovation, and foster community storytelling.
Kano Event Connects Young Talents Across Nigeria
The Kano event took place on Saturday, following successful gatherings in Lagos, Enugu, and Aba. The program included a startup pitch contest, gaming competitions, creative exhibitions, and networking sessions, designed to empower young Nigerians by providing opportunities for connection, idea showcasing, and potential funding.
Promoting Cultural Diversity and Youth Engagement
During the event, Abu Sufyan Aliyu, Senior Manager of North East Sales, highlighted the initiative’s emphasis on Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity. He noted that the program aims to create a platform for young individuals to pursue their ambitions while ensuring that participants from diverse backgrounds have equal opportunities to engage, share ideas, and come up with innovative solutions to pressing social issues.
Building a Supportive Ecosystem for Innovators
Aliyu explained that this gathering serves as an ecosystem where participants can establish meaningful connections, unearth new opportunities, and develop ideas that can have a significant social and economic impact. Activities like games, digital exhibitions, and creative arts have been deliberately included to help participants discover their talents and pursue their aspirations.
Recognizing Innovation Through Financial Support
The Pitchathon 100 startup competition awarded winners financial backing to support their business growth. The overall winner received a prize of N2.5 million, while the first and second runners-up were awarded N1.5 million and N1 million, respectively. Additionally, several participants were recognized with awards in various competitive categories to foster creativity and innovation among Nigerian youth.
Empowering Youth to Share Their Stories
According to Aliyu, The Gathering 100 is designed to empower Nigerian youth to narrate authentic stories about their communities, rather than relying on external perspectives. The initiative seeks to unify a creative community by connecting artists, writers, gamers, entrepreneurs, and innovators on a single platform.
Bridging Gaps and Creating New Opportunities
Aliyu emphasized the importance of direct interaction among youth from various regions, as many young Nigerians have limited exposure to different parts of the country. The initiative aims to eliminate barriers to participation, providing access to mentors, investors, and industry experts, with most activities being free or heavily subsidized. The aim is to ensure that Nigerians can share their narratives while cultivating a community that encourages connection and collaboration.
Startup Pitch Contest Highlights Innovation
The highlight of the Kano event was the Startup Pitch Contest, where Applicant, a digital program management platform, emerged victorious, securing a grand prize of N2.5 million. Co-founder Samiat Tamilola Yusuf explained that their platform simplifies program management by consolidating application processes, participant selection, attendance tracking, and reporting into a single digital solution. With only three months of operation, the startup has already initiated revenue generation through real-world projects. The prize money is set to enhance product development, workforce expansion, and marketing efforts, aimed at scaling their services to more organizations across Nigeria.
